RNA channels in biological membranes

US6225063A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of Technology Office of Technology Transfer · US

Inventors

• Anastasia Khvorova · Boulder, US
• Michael J. Yarus · Boulder, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 20, 1999
• Grant date: May 1, 2001
• Expiry date: May 20, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12N2310/53
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention provides nucleic acid molecules capable of binding phospholipid membranes, and more particularly RNA molecules capable of binding and forming channels in biological membranes. In this regard the present invention provides methods for screening nucleic acid molecules that bind phospholipid membranes. The present invention also provides compositions of nucleic acid molecules capable of binding phospholipid membranes, as well as methods employing these compositions to alter the permeability or detectably label phospholipid membranes.